The Seattle Department of Transportation announces a milestone for the Mercer Corridor Project with the full re-opening of Fairview Avenue North to two-way traffic planned for Saturday, March 9, weather permitting. The re-opening of Fairview Avenue North is a pivotal part in the completion of the East Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project and marks the transition to Stage 4—the final stage of Mercer East construction.

Since August, 2012, Fairview Avenue North has been restricted to one northbound lane between Harrison and Valley streets as crews complete work including undergrounding of electrical distribution, transmission and communication lines, replacement of storm drainage systems, widening Fairview Avenue North between Republican and Valley streets, and installation of new pavement, sidewalks, signals, lighting, signage and landscaping.

The newly re-opened Fairview Avenue North will feature two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between Republican and Mercer streets, with two dedicated right turn lanes onto the I-5 on-ramps, a left turn lane onto westbound Mercer Street and one through lane at the intersection of Mercer Street. Southbound travelers on Fairview Avenue North will now have the option to continue south on Fairview and connect to Mercer Street with two dedicated left-turn lanes onto the I-5 on-ramps in addition to options for southbound travel towards City Center.

Lane Restrictions on Mercer Street the Evening of Friday, March

In preparation for fully re-opening Fairview Avenue North to traffic, Mercer Street will be restricted to two lanes in each direction beginning at 8 p.m. on the evening of Friday, March 8 through the morning of Saturday, March 9, as crews perform final signal work at the intersection of Fairview Avenue North and Mercer Street. Two westbound lanes on Mercer Street will remain open from the I-5 off-ramps at Mercer Street to Boren Avenue North and two eastbound lanes will remain open from Boren Avenue North to the I-5 on-ramps. Uniformed police officers will be positioned in the intersection of Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue North to facilitate traffic flow.

Following signal work at the intersection of Fairview Avenue North and Mercer Street, Fairview Avenue North will re-open to traffic in its final configuration on Saturday, March 9. Traffic engineers will remain onsite on Saturday to monitor traffic flow and adjust signal timing as necessary.

Final Stage of Mercer East to begin Saturday, March 9

The re-opening of Fairview Avenue North is a major milestone for the Mercer Corridor Project and signifies the transition into Stage 4—the final stage of Mercer East construction. Beginning Saturday, March 9, Valley Street, Terry Avenue North, Westlake Avenue North and Broad Street will be restricted in the following areas:

Valley Street will restricted to one westbound lane between Fairview Avenue North and Terry Avenue North and closed to traffic between Terry Avenue North and Westlake Avenue North

Westlake Avenue North will be restricted to one northbound lane between Valley and Aloha streets

Broad Street will be closed between Westlake Avenue North and Ninth Avenue North

Northbound Terry Avenue North will be restricted to local access only between Mercer and Valley streets

Access to Lake Union Park will be maintained via Fairview Avenue North and Valley Street

This temporary configuration will be maintained during Stage 4 of construction as crews complete work on Valley Street, Broad Street, Terry, Westlake and Ninth avenues. Work during Stage 4 includes undergrounding of electrical distribution and communication lines; replacement or relocation of water, sewer, and storm drainage systems; relocation of gas lines; and the installation of new pavement, sidewalks, signals, lighting, signage, bike lanes, landscaping and urban design features. Stage 4 is anticipated to be completed in July.

Please note the re-opening of Fairview Avenue North is dependent on weather and subject to cancelation.

Detour information available for Stage 4 construction

Detour maps illustrating the re-opening of Fairview Avenue North as well as restrictions on Valley Street, Westlake Avenue North and Broad Street are available online for motorists at: www.seattle.gov/Transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm. Pedestrian and bicycle detour maps will be available online prior to Fairview Avenue North re-opening to traffic.

Impacts to transportation services

During Fairview Avenue North construction, Metro Transit rerouted several bus routes via Eastlake Avenue. As plans are finalized, Metro will alert riders with a specific date when bus service will move back to Fairview Avenue North. More information can be found here.